Tamping simulator and associated method

ABSTRACT

Tamping simulators are provided. The tamping simulator includes a powder cylinder; a dosing receptacle; a tamping pin having a first end and a second end, the tamping pin being configured to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position such that the second end is received into the powder cylinder and the dosing receptacle in an instance in which the tamping pin is in the lowered position; a tamping spring operably coupled to the first end of the tamping pin and being configured to relieve compression pressure from the tamping pin; and a compression scale operably coupled to the tamping spring and being configured to indicate an amount of compression pressure absorbed by the tamping spring.

CROSS REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/287,612 entitled “TAMPING SIMULATOR AND ASSOCIATED METHOD” filed onDec. 9, 2021, which is assigned to the assignees hereof and herebyexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The presently-disclosed invention relates generally to replicating andpredicting settings for tamping style capsule filling equipment and,more particularly, tamping simulators and methods of replicating andpredicting settings for tamping style capsule filling equipment for apowder.

BACKGROUND

In the pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement industries, tampingstyle capsule filling equipment is used to fill capsules with a powderof interest by separating two-piece capsules, filling them, closingthem, and ejecting them for further processing and handling. Thesefilling machines fill the capsules by preforming a slug of powderthrough a five-step compression process that allows for clean transferusing the correct amounts of powder. The dosing area can be the mostcomplex part of the filling machine for operators to set-up. The currentmethods used are largely based on trial and error, resulting ininefficiencies in production due to time and material loss.

In some cases, a slug tester may be used to determine filling equipmentsettings. While the slug tester is a useful tool, it is limited toidentifying dosing disc thickness and slug quality (i.e., whether thepowder will form into a slug). It displays digitally the pressure usedin forming a slug, but the measurements do not translate well tosettings for configuring the filling equipment. Indeed, the fillingequipment does not utilize digital readouts for displaying compressingforces, and, as such, the slug tester is not used to determine tampingpin settings.

Accordingly, there still exists a need for a device for approximatingfilling equipment settings in advance, including, but not limited to,dosing disc thickness, powder level settings, slug quality, and tampingpin settings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the invention may address one or more of theaforementioned problems. Certain embodiments according to the inventionprovide tamping simulators. The tamping simulator includes a powdercylinder; a dosing receptacle; a tamping pin having a first end and asecond end, the tamping pin being configured to be moved between araised position and a lowered position such that the second end isreceived into the powder cylinder and the dosing receptacle in aninstance in which the tamping pin is in the lowered position; a tampingspring operably coupled to the first end of the tamping pin and beingconfigured to relieve compression pressure from the tamping pin; and acompression scale operably coupled to the tamping spring and beingconfigured to indicate an amount of compression pressure absorbed by thetamping spring.

According to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator may furthercomprise a penetration scale disposed between the compression scale andthe tamping spring. In some embodiments, the penetration scale may beconfigured to indicate tamping pin depth within the bore.

According to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator may furthercomprise a handle operably connected to the first end of the tampingpin. The handle may be configured to move the tamping pin between theraised position and the lowered position.

According to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator may comprise aplurality of tamping pins. In some embodiments, each of the plurality oftamping pins may have a different standardized pin size.

According to certain embodiments, the powder cylinder may comprise clearglass or clear plastic.

According to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator may furthercomprise a powder dispersal mechanism. In some embodiments, the powderdispersal mechanism may comprise a disc ratcheting mechanism or a powderstirring mechanism.

According to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator may beconfigured to replicate and predict settings for tamping style capsulefilling equipment for a target drug, dietary supplement, or nutritionalsupplement. In some embodiments, the settings may comprise tamping pinsettings for one or more tamping stations, dosing disc thickness, powderlevel settings, slug forming qualities, or any combination thereof.

In another aspect, rotatable dosing discs for tamping simulators areprovided. The rotatable dosing disc includes a first surface configuredto be positioned adjacent to and in alignment with a powder cylinder ofthe tamping simulator; a second surface opposite the first surface; abore extending from the first surface to the second surface and beingconfigured to receive a tamping pin; and a thickness adjustment devicedisposed at the second surface and being operably coupled to the bore toadjust bore thickness.

According to certain embodiments, the thickness adjustment device maycomprise a threaded pin having a diameter substantially equal to adiameter of the bore, a plunger operably coupled to the threaded pin,and a rotatable dial operably coupled to the threaded pin and beingconfigured to adjust a position of the plunger in relation to the bore.In this way, the plunger and walls of the bore define a dosingreceptacle, and adjustment of the bore thickness modifies a volume ofthe dosing receptacle so as to accommodate different dosages for fillingcapsules.

In some embodiments, the rotatable dosing disc may comprise a pluralityof thickness adjustment devices. In certain embodiments, each of theplurality of thickness adjustment devices may be disposed at one of theplurality of tamping stations, and each of the plurality of thicknessadjustment devices may be operably coupled to one of the plurality ofevenly-spaced bores.

According to certain embodiments, the rotatable dosing disc may comprisea plurality of evenly-spaced bores. In some embodiments, each of theplurality of evenly-spaced bores may be disposed at one of a pluralityof tamping stations positioned around a circumference of the rotatabledosing disc. In certain embodiments, each of the plurality ofevenly-spaced bores may have a different standardized diameter.

In yet another aspect, methods of replicating and predicting settingsfor tamping style capsule filling equipment for a powder are provided.The method includes selecting a bore diameter, a bore thickness, and atamping pin size; receiving a volume of powder in a powder cylinder;compressing the powder into a dosing receptacle defined by a plunger andwalls of a bore of a rotatable dosing disc having the selected borediameter and the selected bore thickness by moving a tamping pin havingthe selected tamping pin size from a raised position to a loweredposition into the powder cylinder and the dosing receptacle; andindicating an amount of compression pressure absorbed by a tampingspring operably coupled to the tamping pin in an instance in which thetamping pin is moved to the lowered position.

According to certain embodiments, the method may further compriseindicating tamping pin penetration into the bore.

According to certain embodiments, the method may further comprisedispersing the powder in the powder cylinder after compressing thepowder into the dosing receptacle. In some embodiments, dispersing thepowder may comprise ratcheting the dosing disc or stirring the powder.

According to certain embodiments, the method may further comprisecompressing the powder at least one additional time (e.g., fouradditional times) and dispersing the powder each time the powder iscompressed.

According to certain embodiments, the settings may comprise tamping pinsettings for one or more tamping stations, dosing disc thickness, powderlevel settings, slug forming qualities, or any combination thereof.

According to certain embodiments, following the five-step compressionprocess, the powder may be ejected from the rotatable dosing disc usingthe thickness adjustment device to evaluate slug quality and the weightof the powder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a tamping simulator in accordance with certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a bottom view of a tamping simulator in accordance withcertain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a tamping simulator in accordancewith certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is another perspective side view of a tamping simulator inaccordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a tamping simulator in accordance with certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a method of replicating and predictingsettings for tamping style capsule filling equipment for a powder inaccordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is another block diagram of a method of replicating andpredicting settings for tamping style capsule filling equipment for apowder in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front interior view of a dosing receptacle in accordancewith certain embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, this invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used inthe specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Moreover, as used herein, terms such as “top,”“bottom,” “left,” “right,” etc. are used for explanatory purposes in thepresent disclosure to describe the relative position of certaincomponents or portions of components. Furthermore, as would be evidentto one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure,the term “substantially” indicates that the referenced element orassociated description is accurate to within applicable engineeringtolerances.

The invention includes, according to certain embodiments, devices andmethods for replicating and predicting settings for tamping stylecapsule filling equipment for a powder. Such devices and methods may beused by research and development personnel to determine if powders areready for use in filling equipment, as well as to identify changes thatcan be made prior to widescale production, including via machineadjustment or via the addition of product excipients to meet desiredcharacteristics, such as slug quality and dose weight. Moreover, thedevices and methods described herein may also be used by productionpersonnel for individual production batches to predict machine setupparameters, accounting for batch-to-batch variation. Such parameters orsettings include, but are not limited to, tamping pin settings for oneor more tamping stations, dosing disc thickness, powder level settings,slug forming qualities, or any combination thereof. These parameters,particularly disc thickness, powder level settings, and resultingcompression, may be used to determine end capsule weight. In addition,the devices and methods described herein utilize the exact tamping pinsand spring used on the filling equipment such that the devices andmethods provide a direct translation to machine settings. As such, byusing the devices and methods described herein, one knowledgeable personin the production area can predetermine the settings for lessexperienced operators, conserving time and material and eliminating therequirement that all operators be experts in filling equipmentoperation. In this way, the devices and methods disclosed herein areable to replicate and predict filling equipment settings to improve theefficiency of the capsule production process.

I. Tamping Simulators

In particular, according to a first aspect of the invention, a tampingsimulator is provided. The tamping simulator includes a powder cylinder;a dosing receptacle; a tamping pin having a first end and a second end,the tamping pin being configured to be moved between a raised positionand a lowered position such that the second end is received into thepowder cylinder and the dosing receptacle in an instance in which thetamping pin is in the lowered position; a tamping spring operablycoupled to the first end of the tamping pin and being configured torelieve compression pressure from the tamping pin; and a compressionscale operably coupled to the tamping spring and being configured toindicate an amount of compression pressure absorbed by the tampingspring.

Also provided is a rotatable dosing disc for a tamping simulator. Therotatable dosing disc includes a first surface configured to bepositioned adjacent to and in alignment with a powder cylinder of thetamping simulator; a second surface opposite the first surface; a boreextending from the first surface to the second surface and beingconfigured to receive a tamping pin; and a thickness adjustment devicedisposed at the second surface and being operably coupled to the bore toadjust bore thickness.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , a tamping simulator 100 is illustrated inaccordance with certain embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, the tamping simulator may include a body 101with a tamping bracket 102 affixed thereto at a first end of the body101. On one end of the body 101 opposite the tamping bracket 102, thebody 101 may be fixed to a base 104. The base 104 may include one ormore feet 105 or similar stabilizing features as understood by a personof ordinary skill in the art. For example, the base 104 may include one,two, or more bearings sitting into the top of the base 104 around thebody 101. In certain embodiments, the top of the base 104 may include ahousing around the body 101 to support and hide the bearing(s). In someembodiments, a lever 132 (best shown in FIGS. 1A, 2, and 3 ) may beattached to the body 101 under a recessed portion of the base 104, whichmay be used to lock the disc into position and then to release the discfor movement.

The tamping simulator 100 also includes a powder cylinder 106 that isconnected to the body 101 via a clamp 103 or similar mechanism forgrasping and stabilizing the powder cylinder 106, as understood by aperson of ordinary skill in the art. The powder cylinder 106 of thetamping simulator 100 may replicate the product bowl of the fillingmachine used in actual production. A powder of interest (e.g., a drug orsupplement in solid particulate form) may be placed within the powdercylinder 106 for use in the tamping simulator 100. In some embodiments,the powder cylinder 106 may be a graduated cylinder. For instance, andas shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the powder cylinder 106 may includemeasurement markings in mm and/or inches. Moreover, in certainembodiments, the powder cylinder 106 may be transparent. For example, insome embodiments, the powder cylinder 106 may comprise clear glass orclear plastic. In certain embodiments, the measurement markings may bein color and/or engraved (e.g., via laser or any other suitable methodunderstood by a person of ordinary skill in the art) to improve markingvisibility. In this way, an operator of the tamping simulator 100 may beable to view and accurately measure the powder contained in the powdercylinder 106, such as by comparing a level of the powder within thepowder cylinder 106 to the measurement markings on the powder cylinder.In addition, at least a portion of both ends of the powder cylinder 106are open. In this way, at least a portion of the top of the powdercylinder 106 is open to receive the powder, and at least a portion ofthe bottom of the powder cylinder 106 is open and positioned on arotatable dosing disc 110, as described below.

The tamping simulator 100 further includes a tamping pin 108 having afirst end 108 a and a second end 108 b. The tamping pin 108 may be movedbetween a raised position and a lowered position. In the loweredposition, the second end 108 b of the tamping pin 108 moves through thepowder cylinder 106 and into a bore 134 in the rotatable dosing disc110. In some embodiments, the tamping simulator 100 may include a handle120 operably connected to the first end 108 a of the tamping pin 108such that the handle 120 may be gripped by an operator and used to movethe tamping pin 108 between the raised position and the lowered positionthrough the powder cylinder 106 and into the bore 134. In someembodiments, the handle 120 may be operably connected to one or moresprings (not shown) to provide resistance during compression to preventan operator from moving the tamping pin 108 past a targeted tampingdepth. In this way, the tamping pin 108 may compress the powder 109using its second end 108 b and move it into the rotatable dosing disc110, thereby compressing the powder 109 within a volume defined by therotatable dosing disc 110 and the tamping pin 108, as described in moredetail below and shown in FIG. 7 . According to certain embodiments, thetamping simulator 100 may include a plurality of tamping pins 108, eachof which having a different standardized tamping pin size thatcorresponds to a standardized capsule size ranging from 5 to 000 (e.g.,5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 00, and 000 capsule sizes). This range of parts willalso work for elongated capsules (e.g., 0 elongated, 00 elongated, etc).While a selected standardized tamping pin size is in use, the remainingtamping pins may be stored in a holding area 107 on the base 104, asshown in FIG. 4 , until one of the stored pins is needed based on thecorresponding capsule size being dosed.

The rotatable dosing disc 110 has a first surface 110 a and a secondsurface 110 b. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7 , the rotatable dosing disc110 includes at least one bore 134 extending from the first surface 110a of the rotatable dosing disc 110 to the second surface 110 b of therotatable dosing disc 110. The bore 134 is configured to receive thetamping pin 108. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the rotatable dosing disc 110 may include a plurality of bores. Incertain embodiments, each of the plurality of bores may have a differentdiameter from the other bores, and each bore diameter may correspond toa standardized capsule size and may define a different volume within therotatable dosing disc corresponding to the respective standardizedcapsule size. For example, in certain embodiments, the tamping simulatormay include up to eight bores having diameters corresponding tostandardized capsule sizes ranging from 5 to 000 (e.g., 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,0, 00, and 000 capsule sizes). In certain embodiments, the markingsdesignating capsule sizes may be in color and/or engraved (e.g., vialaser or any other suitable method understood by a person of ordinaryskill in the art) to improve marking visibility. In certain embodiments,the bore size being used may also correspond to the same tamping pinsize (e.g., a size 3 bore may be paired with a size 3 tamping pin). Insome embodiments, the plurality of bores 134 may be evenly-spaced aroundthe circumference of the rotatable dosing disc 110. For example, incertain embodiments each of the plurality of evenly-spaced bores 134 maybe disposed at one of a plurality of tamping stations 130 positionedaround the circumference of the rotatable dosing disc 110. In someembodiments, for instance, the tamping simulator 100 may include eighttamping positions 130, each having different settings such that theoperator can select the proper tamping station based on the capsule sizebeing dosed. In this way, the tamping simulator 100 may be reconfiguredto use a different tamping station having a different bore size andbeing associated with a different tamping pin.

According to certain embodiments, the rotatable dosing disc 110 alsoincludes at least one thickness adjustment device 112. In someembodiments, the rotatable dosing disc 110 may include a plurality ofthickness adjustment devices 112. In such embodiments, each of theplurality of thickness adjustment devices 112 may be disposed at one ofthe plurality of tamping stations 130 such that each of the plurality ofthickness adjustment devices 112 may be operably coupled to one of theplurality of evenly-spaced bores 134. Indeed, each thickness adjustmentdevice 112 is disposed at the second surface 110 b of the rotatabledosing disc 110 and is operably coupled to the bore 134 to adjust thethickness, or depth, of the bore 134. In particular, the thicknessadjustment device 112 may include a threaded pin 114. In someembodiments, the threaded pin 114 may have a diameter substantiallyequal to the diameter of the bore 134 such that there is only enoughspace between the threaded pin 114 and the walls of the bore 134 so thatthe threaded pin 114 moves without friction while also preventing leaks.In certain embodiments, the thickness adjustment device 112 may alsoinclude a plunger 115 operably coupled to the threaded pin 114 anddisposed internally in the thickness adjustment device 112 such that theplunger 115 forms a sealing plate that defines the bottom of a dosingreceptacle 136 within the rotatable dosing disc 110, as shown, forexample, in FIG. 7 . The dosing receptacle is further defined by thewalls of bore 134 and is configured to receive the powder compressed bythe tamping pin 108 into the rotatable dosing disc 110. In this way,adjusting the bore thickness via the plunger 115 also modifies thevolume of the dosing receptacle 136 in order to accommodate differentdosages for filling capsules. The thickness adjustment device 112 mayfurther include a rotatable dial 118 operably coupled to the threadedpin 114. In this way, the rotatable dial 118 may be used to adjust theposition of the plunger 115 in relation to the bore 134 in order toadjust the volume of the dosing receptacle 136, as indicated on thethickness scale 119 operably coupled to the rotatable dial 118. In someembodiments, the rotatable dial 118 may be a floor that pushes theplunger 115 up into the rotatable dosing disc 110 as the rotatable dial118 is turned. In addition, the thickness adjustment device 112 mayinclude a stopper 116 having a diameter larger than that of the threadedpin 114 and, consequently, the bore 134. In contrast to fillingequipment that requires various different discs to be physicallyreplaced to accommodate different bore thicknesses, the thicknessadjustment device 112 allows one rotatable dosing disc 110 to be used tosimulate a number of disc thickness configurations. In certainembodiments, the markings for the thickness scale 119 may be in colorand/or engraved (e.g., via laser or any other suitable method understoodby a person of ordinary skill in the art) to improve marking visibility.

In addition, according to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator 100may also include a tray 138. In operation, and as shown in FIG. 2 , thetray 138 may be attached to the second surface 110 b of the rotatabledosing disc 110 and may be used to collect the powder at the conclusionof the process. When the tray 138 is not in use, the tray 138 may behung on the side of the body 101, as shown in FIG. 3 .

The tamping simulator 100 also includes a tamping spring 122. Thetamping spring 122, which may be a standardized tamping spring, isoperably coupled to the first end 108 a of the tamping pin 108 and, inoperation, absorbs the compression pressure generated when lowering thetamping pin 108 into the dosing receptacle 136. In this way, the tampingpin 108 may be pushed through the powder cylinder 106 and into thedosing receptacle 136 with greater force without causing damage. Inother words, the tamping spring 122 may thus provide protection to theparts on either end of the spring as pressure is built up during slugformation. Without the presence of the tamping spring 122, the tampingpin, and all associated parts, could receive damage from the parts aboveit that are driving it down through the powder, and the parts above thespring may also be susceptible to damage.

The tamping spring 122 is operably coupled to a compression scale 124disposed on the tamping bracket 102. The compression scale 124 indicatesthe amount of compression pressure that is absorbed by the tampingspring 122 via markings on the compression scale 124 that are read by anoperator. In some embodiments, the markings may be in color and/orengraved (e.g., via laser or any other suitable method understood by aperson of ordinary skill in the art) to improve marking visibility. Incertain embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1 , the compression scale 124may measure compression pressure from maximum to minimum; however, thecompression scale 124 may measure compression pressure via any suitablequantification method as understood by a person of ordinary skill in theart. In this way, the operator may monitor the amount of pressure thatis absorbed to ensure that the tamping springs 122 are not beingover-compressed. For example, the operator may monitor to ensure thatthe maximum point marked on the compression scale 124 is not exceeded.

According to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator 100 may alsoinclude a penetration scale 126 disposed on the tamping bracket 102. Thepenetration scale 126 may indicate the depth of the compression by thetamping pin 108 within the bore 134 when the tamping pin 108 is in thelowered position. In this way, the penetration scale 126 may indicatethe correct compression depth needed to reach the correct end capsuleweight. As shown in FIG. 1 , the penetration scale 126 may measurecompression depth from 0-25 mm as indicated by markings thereon;however, the penetration scale 126 may measure compression depth via anysuitable quantification method as understood by a person of ordinaryskill in the art. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1 forexample, the penetration scale 126 may measure compression depth from0-25 mm in ascending order. In addition or the alternative, however, thepenetration scale 126 may measure compression depth from 25-0 mm indescending order, for instance, next to the existing ascending numberscale. In certain embodiments, the markings may be in color and/orengraved (e.g., via laser or any other suitable method understood by aperson of ordinary skill in the art) to improve marking visibility. Insome embodiments, the penetration depth may be adjusted each time thepowder is compressed. By way of example only, in certain embodiments thesame powder may be successively compressed within the bore 134 a totalof five times to achieve the appropriate compression, with a firstcompression penetration at 25 mm, a second compression penetration at 15mm, a third compression penetration at 10 mm, a fourth compressionpenetration at 5 mm, and a fifth compression penetration at 0 mm. Insome embodiments, a penetration adjustment knob 128 may be operablycoupled to the penetration scale 126 to adjust the compression depth ofthe tamping pin 108 within the bore 134 when the tamping pin 108 is inthe lowered position. Accordingly, the compression scale 124 and thepenetration scale 126 may be used together to establish the tampingsettings for the tamping simulator 100.

According to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator 100 may furtherinclude a powder dispersal mechanism (not shown). In this way, thepowder may be dispersed in the powder cylinder 106 after the tamping pin108 compresses the powder in the dosing receptacle 136 such that thepowder is refreshed and refills the bore 134. In such embodiments, thepowder dispersal mechanism may include a disc ratcheting mechanism, apowder stirring mechanism, or a combination thereof. In certainembodiments, for instance, the rotatable dosing disc 110 may beratcheted a full revolution (i.e. rotated 360°) to disperse powder inthe powder cylinder 106 after compression with the tamping pin 108 hasbeen completed and the tamping pin 108 is returned to the raisedposition. For example, to replicate the five compressions typicallyperformed by filling equipment, the rotatable dosing disc 110 may beratcheted one full revolution five times, with each ratchet occurringafter a compression. In addition or alternatively, the powder may bestirred to disperse powder in the powder cylinder 106 after eachcompression with the tamping pin 108 by a powder stirring mechanism asunderstood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Suitable powderstirring mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, devicesconfigured for trituration (e.g., a glass mortar), spatulation (e.g., apowder spatula), sifting (e.g., a sifter or a sieve), or a powder plowor diverter, as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

According to certain embodiments, the tamping simulator may be smallerthan standard filling equipment. For example, in some embodiments thetamping simulator may be a tabletop device capable of being placed inthe production area and/or the research and development area. Byincluding the tamping simulator in these areas, time and money will besaved by pre-determining settings on-site on an as-needed basis andreducing waste that may otherwise result from conventionaltrial-and-error methods. In addition, the tamping simulator may becompatible with filling equipment used for all types of capsules and ina variety of sizes, including but not restricted to gelatin capsules andhydroxypropyl methylcellulose (“Hypromellose” or “HPMC”) capsules,pullulan capsules, and other capsule polymers.

In this regard, the tamping simulator replicates and predicts fillingequipment settings including, but not limited to, tamping pin settingsfor one or more tamping stations, dosing disc thickness, powder levelsettings, slug forming qualities, or any combination thereof. Thesesettings, particularly disc thickness, tamping pin settings, and powderlevel settings, may be used to determine end capsule weight. In thisway, the tamping simulator improves the efficiency of the capsuleproduction process.

II. Methods of Replicating and Predicting Settings for Tamping StyleCapsule Filling Equipment

In another aspect, a method of replicating and predicting settings fortamping style capsule filling equipment for a powder is provided. Themethod includes selecting a bore diameter, a bore thickness, and atamping pin size; receiving a volume of powder in a powder cylinder;compressing the powder into a dosing receptacle defined by a plunger andwalls of a bore of a rotatable dosing disc having the selected borediameter and the selected bore thickness by moving a tamping pin havingthe selected tamping pin size from a raised position to a loweredposition into the powder cylinder and the dosing receptacle; andindicating an amount of compression pressure absorbed by a tampingspring operably coupled to the tamping pin in an instance in which thetamping pin is moved to the lowered position.

FIG. 5 , for example, is a block diagram of a method 500 of replicatingand predicting settings for tamping style capsule filling equipment fora powder in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 5 , the method 500 includes the following steps:

Step 510: Selecting a bore diameter, a bore thickness, and a tamping pinsize;

Step 520: Receiving a volume of powder in a powder cylinder;

Step 530: Compressing the powder into a dosing receptacle defined by aplunger and walls of a bore of a rotatable dosing disc having theselected bore diameter and the selected bore thickness by moving atamping pin having the selected tamping pin size from a raised positionto a lowered position into the powder cylinder and the dosingreceptacle; and

Step 540: Indicating an amount of compression pressure absorbed by atamping spring operably coupled to the tamping pin in an instance inwhich the tamping pin is moved to the lowered position; and, optionally(e.g., in standard cases):

Step 550: Indicating tamping pin penetration into the dosing receptacle;and

Step 560: Dispersing the powder in the powder cylinder after compressingthe powder into the dosing receptacle.

In some embodiments, certain steps of the method are repeated until thedesired volume of powder in the dosing receptacle is achieved. FIG. 6 ,for example, is a block diagram of a method 600 of replicating andpredicting settings for tamping style capsule filling equipment for apowder in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. As shownin FIG. 6 , the method 600 includes the following steps:

Step 610: Selecting a bore diameter and a tamping pin size;

Step 615: Setting the bore thickness and matching the bore thickness tothe penetration scale setting (e.g., the “Zero” point for thepenetration scale may be set each time the dosing disc thickness ischanged);

Step 620: Receiving a volume of powder in a powder cylinder; and

Step 630 a: Compressing the powder into a dosing receptacle defined by aplunger and walls of a bore of a rotatable dosing disc having theselected bore diameter and the selected bore thickness by moving atamping pin having the selected tamping pin size from a raised positionto a lowered position into the powder cylinder and the dosingreceptacle; and

Step 635 a: Dispersing the powder in the powder cylinder aftercompressing the powder into the dosing receptacle;

Step 630 b: Compressing the powder into the dosing receptacle;

Step 635 b: Dispersing the powder in the powder cylinder aftercompressing the powder into the dosing receptacle;

Step 630 c: Compressing the powder into the dosing receptacle; and

Step 635 c: Dispersing the powder in the powder cylinder aftercompressing the powder into the dosing receptacle.

In this regard, the method replicates and predicts filling equipmentsettings including, but not limited to, tamping pin settings for one ormore tamping stations, dosing disc thickness, powder level settings,slug forming qualities, or any combination thereof. These settings,particularly disc thickness, powder level settings, and tamping pinsettings, may be used to determine end capsule weight. In this way, themethod improves the efficiency of the capsule production process.

Modifications of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit ofthe teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not tobe limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modificationsand other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope ofthe appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, theyare used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

1. A tamping simulator comprising: a powder cylinder; a dosingreceptacle; a tamping pin having a first end and a second end, thetamping pin being configured to be moved between a raised position and alowered position such that the second end is received into the powdercylinder and the dosing receptacle in an instance in which the tampingpin is in the lowered position; a tamping spring operably coupled to thefirst end of the tamping pin and being configured to relieve compressionpressure from the tamping pin; and a compression scale operably coupledto the tamping spring and being configured to indicate an amount ofcompression pressure absorbed by the tamping spring.
 2. The tampingsimulator according to claim 1, further comprising a penetration scaledisposed between the compression scale and the tamping spring, thepenetration scale being configured to indicate tamping pin depth withinthe dosing receptacle.
 3. The tamping simulator according to claim 1,further comprising a handle operably connected to the first end of thetamping pin, the handle being configured to move the tamping pin betweenthe raised position and the lowered position.
 4. The tamping simulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the tamping simulator comprises aplurality of tamping pins, each of the plurality of tamping pins havinga different standardized pin size.
 5. The tamping simulator according toclaim 1, further comprising a powder dispersal mechanism.
 6. The tampingsimulator according to claim 5, wherein the powder dispersal mechanismcomprises a disc ratcheting mechanism or a powder stirring mechanism. 7.The tamping simulator according to claim 1, wherein the powder cylindercomprises clear glass or clear plastic.
 8. The tamping simulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the tamping simulator is configured toreplicate and predict settings for tamping style capsule fillingequipment for a target drug, dietary supplement, or nutritionalsupplement, wherein the settings comprise tamping pin settings for oneor more tamping stations, dosing disc thickness, powder level settings,slug forming qualities, or any combination thereof.
 9. A rotatabledosing disc for a tamping simulator, the rotatable dosing disccomprising: a first surface configured to be positioned adjacent to andin alignment with a powder cylinder of the tamping simulator; a secondsurface opposite the first surface; a bore extending from the firstsurface to the second surface and being configured to receive a tampingpin; and a thickness adjustment device disposed at the second surfaceand being operably coupled to the bore to adjust bore thickness.
 10. Therotatable dosing disc according to claim 9, wherein the thicknessadjustment device comprises: a threaded pin having a diametersubstantially equal to a diameter of the bore; a plunger operablycoupled to the threaded pin; and a rotatable dial operably coupled tothe threaded pin and being configured to adjust a position of theplunger in relation to the bore, wherein the plunger and walls of thebore define a dosing receptacle, and wherein adjustment of the borethickness modifies a volume of the dosing receptacle so as toaccommodate different dosages for filling capsules.
 11. The tampingsimulator according to claim 9, wherein the rotatable dosing disccomprises a plurality of evenly-spaced bores, and wherein each of theplurality of evenly-spaced bores is disposed at one of a plurality oftamping stations positioned around a circumference of the rotatabledosing disc.
 12. The tamping simulator according to claim 11, whereineach of the plurality of evenly-spaced bores has a differentstandardized diameter.
 13. The tamping simulator according to claim 11,wherein the rotatable dosing disc comprises a plurality of thicknessadjustment devices, each of the plurality of thickness adjustmentdevices is disposed at one of the plurality of tamping stations, andeach of the plurality of thickness adjustment devices is operablycoupled to one of the plurality of evenly-spaced bores.
 14. A method ofreplicating and predicting settings for tamping style capsule fillingequipment for a powder, the method comprising: selecting a bore diameterand a tamping pin size; setting a bore thickness; receiving a volume ofpowder in a powder cylinder; compressing the powder into a dosingreceptacle defined by a plunger and walls of a bore of a rotatabledosing disc having the selected bore diameter and the selected borethickness by moving a tamping pin having the selected tamping pin sizefrom a raised position to a lowered position into the powder cylinderand the dosing receptacle; and indicating an amount of compressionpressure absorbed by a tamping spring operably coupled to the tampingpin in an instance in which the tamping pin is moved to the loweredposition.
 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprisingindicating tamping pin penetration into the dosing receptacle.
 16. Themethod according to claim 14, further comprising dispersing the powderin the powder cylinder after compressing the powder into the dosingreceptacle.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein dispersing thepowder comprises ratcheting the dosing disc or stirring the powder. 18.The method according to claim 16, further comprising compressing thepowder at least one additional time, and dispersing the powder each timethe powder is compressed.
 19. The method according to claim 18, furthercomprising ejecting the powder from the rotatable dosing disc toevaluate slug quality and the weight of the powder.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 14, wherein the settings comprise tamping pinsettings for one or more tamping stations, dosing disc thickness, powderlevel settings, slug forming qualities, or any combination thereof.